This is a thoroughly enjoyable mystery. The white supremacist angle lends menace and although there are a couple of plot points that stretch credulityThis is a thoroughly enjoyable mystery. The white supremacist angle lends menace and although there are a couple of plot points that stretch credulity, it's generally very well-written. Andi Marquette has created several interesting characters whose adventures will be worth following....more

The plotting is well-paced and the writing is just stunning. Tragic, realistic, hugely emotional. I thought the ending was spot-on; anything "tidier"The plotting is well-paced and the writing is just stunning. Tragic, realistic, hugely emotional. I thought the ending was spot-on; anything "tidier" would have felt trite.

I couldn't put this down. It's definitely the best thing I've read this year....more

The Maintenance of Headway is a very short book/novella about a group of bus drivers in a large metropolis (unnamed but I took it to be London from geThe Maintenance of Headway is a very short book/novella about a group of bus drivers in a large metropolis (unnamed but I took it to be London from geographical and bus descriptions). There's no plot, and nothing much happens, but it's a mildly amusing insight into a bureaucratic mass transportation system.

“I’m going to adjust you and I’ll tell you why,” says Greeves. “I’ve got too many buses up this end and not enough down that end. You’ll be pleased to know you’re part of the remedy.”

This was a re-read of the first in McLynn's highly enjoyable series featuring Dublin PI Leo Street and her misadventures, this time involving horses,This was a re-read of the first in McLynn's highly enjoyable series featuring Dublin PI Leo Street and her misadventures, this time involving horses, priests, bread, and a dog called Number 4. Just as much fun at the second time of reading....more

The 3rd outing for McLynn's Dublin PI sees Leo's life take an abrupt turn when looking for a missing girl. The seedy underbelly of the city shocks herThe 3rd outing for McLynn's Dublin PI sees Leo's life take an abrupt turn when looking for a missing girl. The seedy underbelly of the city shocks her; does she have the skills to survive?...more

Cherubs #10. Most of the action takes place on a training exercise with the US Army at a purpose-built urban warfare facility in the Nevada desert. SoCherubs #10. Most of the action takes place on a training exercise with the US Army at a purpose-built urban warfare facility in the Nevada desert. Somehow James still manages to get himself into trouble!...more

Meanwhile Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer isn't enjoying her new responsibilities; she's torn between managing her squad and her desire to be out on the streets investigating.

These tales aren't great literature and don't purport to be; the plotting can be dodgy but they are fast-paced enough to get away with it. I like the characters and enjoy the San Francisco setting....more

I've loved Val McDermid's writing for many years, although I am rather less keen on the graphic Cornwellian style of the Dr Tony Hill series. The GravI've loved Val McDermid's writing for many years, although I am rather less keen on the graphic Cornwellian style of the Dr Tony Hill series. The Grave Tattoo is an intriguing standalone novel that combines a modern thriller with a fresh spin on the lives of Fletcher Christian - the infamous mutineer from HMS Bounty - and the classic Romantic poet William Wordsworth.

I was thoroughly drawn in by this unlikely-sounding concept and before long I was rooting for scholarly heroine Jane Gresham and especially for Tenille, sink estate teenager hoping for more in life than "baby mamma drama".

From The West Wing to The L Word, Marlee Matlin has delivered great performances and pushed the boundaries. This candid memoir details her struggles aFrom The West Wing to The L Word, Marlee Matlin has delivered great performances and pushed the boundaries. This candid memoir details her struggles and triumphs....more

It's always enjoyable when you read a book where it's apparent that the author has done a great deal of research, and yet doesn't ram it down your thrIt's always enjoyable when you read a book where it's apparent that the author has done a great deal of research, and yet doesn't ram it down your throat. Subtle details of location and customs ring true, particularly as real events and people are woven into the story. ...more

I found this wartime diary of an ordinary Londoner really interesting. It took me a while to get into, before I became familiar with the various peoplI found this wartime diary of an ordinary Londoner really interesting. It took me a while to get into, before I became familiar with the various people mentioned. It's a weighty tome at over 600 pages, but easy to pick up and enjoy in small or large chunks.

A fascinating insight into everyday life from air raids to rationing. Hodgson puts it into wider historical context with the mention of key events - such as battles or the sinking of an important ship - and speeches by Churchill and others.

Miss Buncle has now married and she and her publisher husband have moThis is the sequel to the delightful Miss Buncle's Book and is equally charming.

Miss Buncle has now married and she and her publisher husband have moved house, giving Barbara a whole new set of people to observe. But can she resist depicting them in print and upsetting this perfect new life?...more

This slim volume contains one early unpublished work and two unfinished fragments of stories, along with an introduction by Margaret Drabble. If you'vThis slim volume contains one early unpublished work and two unfinished fragments of stories, along with an introduction by Margaret Drabble. If you've never read Austen, don't start here, but if you are a fan you will find Lady Susan amusing and the fragments tantalising glimpses of what might have been, had Austen lived to complete them....more

Did you have a bad day at work? Was your train late, was your PC playing up, did your umbrella blow inside out? Come home and pick up this book to putDid you have a bad day at work? Was your train late, was your PC playing up, did your umbrella blow inside out? Come home and pick up this book to put these trivialities into perspective!

Rosie Swale-Pope comes across as a great British eccentric in writing this very entertaining and inspiring account of her incredible run to raise cancer awareness. From her home in Wales, through Europe, and across the Siberian and Alaskan wastes she ran. She ran the breadth of North America and across Iceland. She finished by running the length of Scotland and back home. The kindness of strangers made this possible and, combined with Rosie's enthusiasm and open-heartedness, restore one's faith in human nature....more

These books are just genius. The second adventure of Thursday Next is just as enjoyable as the first; I loved the introduction of the Jurisfiction teaThese books are just genius. The second adventure of Thursday Next is just as enjoyable as the first; I loved the introduction of the Jurisfiction team, especially Miss Havisham and the Cheshire Cat.

It loses a star simply because it doesn't really draw to a conclusion; most of the key plot points remain unresolved and one is left desperately ordering The Well of Lost Plots in search of answers!...more

I learned that hen keeping isn't for me! Very informative and accessible and certainly doesn't play down the challenges of keeping poultry in your bacI learned that hen keeping isn't for me! Very informative and accessible and certainly doesn't play down the challenges of keeping poultry in your back garden....more

My first Kindle book! I've had the paper copy on my shelves for months, so when I was fortunate enough to receive the Kindle and saw that The MoonstonMy first Kindle book! I've had the paper copy on my shelves for months, so when I was fortunate enough to receive the Kindle and saw that The Moonstone was available as a free download, I decided to start my Kindling with Wilkie Collins.

What a cracking read! It's often recognised as the original English detective novel, published in 1868, and although it is pretty long, I never grew tired of the tale. The use of different narrators helped, and I think the ebook format was less intimidating than a physical copy.

In simple terms, the plot surrounds an enormous diamond known as the Moonstone, and its disappearance from an English country house.

Each narrator or protagonist contributes their own pieces of the puzzle, and even if you guess the whodunnit, the characters and plot twists keep you reading. I found Wilkie Collins' style far more accessible than Dickens or others of his era....more

For all its zeitgeisty 90s tech talk, this is a really warm, human book.

It follows programmer Dan and his work colleagues/housemates/friends all workFor all its zeitgeisty 90s tech talk, this is a really warm, human book.

It follows programmer Dan and his work colleagues/housemates/friends all working for Microsoft in Redmond, Washington and their lives (or lack thereof!). The silicon bubble is still expanding and they fly the corporate nest to join a dot-com startup down in Silicon Valley, California.

15 years on, technologies and fashions have moved on apace but people are much the same and so it's still an absorbing read. As a tech geek myself, I thoroughly enjoyed it. ...more

I've persevered with Gerri Hill but I think I have to give up now. The detective stories aren't bad but the romances leave me cold. This is a case inI've persevered with Gerri Hill but I think I have to give up now. The detective stories aren't bad but the romances leave me cold. This is a case in point: the central character is irritating and her behaviour incomprehensible.

And I've never known a group of lesbians to drink so much and to think nothing of then driving home!...more